Motorcycle Accident Attorneys in Morrow, GA

While riding a motorcycle in Georgia may be a fun way to recreate as well as an efficient manner of commuting, riding a motorcycle is dangerous. Should a crash occur, a motorcyclist is much more likely to suffer from serious or fatal injuries than is an occupant of a passenger car. That being said, the attorneys at the law offices of Stein & Fox Accident Attorneys believe that motorcycle accidents are not inevitable, and most would not occur but for the negligence and recklessness of those on the road.

If you or someone close to you has been injured in a motorcycle accident, our legal team can help you file a claim for damages and negotiate for a fair settlement amount. To learn more about our legal services and how we can serve you, please call us today for your free consultation.

Injuries from Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycle accidents are often particularly devastating, resulting in severe or fatal injuries for those involved. Some of the most common types of injuries resulting from a motorcycle crash include:

• Traumatic brain injuries. A motorcyclist’s head is almost always at risk of injury in a crash, and at risk of a more severe injury if the motorcyclist is not helmeted at the time of the collision. A traumatic brain injury can lead to long-term complications, including effects on emotion, cognition, thinking, memory, reasoning, language, communication, and sensation.

• Spinal cord injuries. One of the most tragic types of injuries that a motorcyclist can suffer is a spinal cord injury. The spinal cord is the bundle of nerves that runs the length of the spine and communicates messages between the brain and the rest of the body – it’s the reason you are able to perform voluntary movements. If the spinal cord is injured, this ability is disrupted, and the result is permanent partial or complete paralysis from the site of the injury in the spinal cord downwards.

• Road rash/burn injuries. Depending on the circumstances of the accident and the clothing that the motorcyclist is wearing at the time of impact, the motorcyclist may suffer severe road rash/road burn injuries. Sometimes, these injuries can be severe, virtually stripping off a motorcyclist’s skin. This type of injury also poses the risk of infection and permanent scarring.

• Bone fractures. Bones, while pliable and flexible to an extent, can fracture when large amounts of pressure are applied. A bone fracture can be painful, require surgery, and may impair a person’s life for many months.

• Amputation injury. One of the more severe types of injuries that a motorcyclist may be at risk of suffering is an amputation injury. If a limb is caught in between the motorcycle and another vehicle or is crushed, surgical amputation may be necessary.

Other injuries are also possible. The more force that’s involved in the crash, the greater the risk of severe injury.

Who’s Liable for a Motorcycle Accident?

When a motorcycle accident occurs, it is important to open an investigation that seeks to determine liability – legal responsibility for the accident and corresponding damages. Liability for a crash is based on negligence – that is, the failure to exercise the proper degree of care in the given situation. Examples of motorist negligence that can cause motorcycle accidents include speeding, driving while distracted, driving while drunk, performing illegal maneuvers, following too closely, and other breaches of safety or traffic laws. Other types of negligence that can lead to a crash include things like failing to perform proper road maintenance, manufacturing a vehicle with a defective part, and improper signage.

Our lawyers will work hard to investigate your claim and determine who should be held liable for your damages. Then, we’ll bring forth a claim against this party, submit evidence, and negotiate for a settlement that’s fair and fully compensates you. If a settlement cannot be reached, we can file a lawsuit and represent you in litigation.

Shared Fault in Motorcycle Accident Claims

When negotiating your motorcycle accident claim, it is important to be aware of shared fault laws in Georgia and how these laws may affect the outcome of your claim, particularly if you file a motorcycle accident lawsuit. Georgia follows a rule of modified comparative negligence, which means that a plaintiff who contributes to their damages through some degree of their own fault won’t be barred from recovery, but will be subject to a reduction to the settlement award comparable to their degree of fault.

For example, if you, as an injured motorcyclist, are found to be 20 percent to blame for your crash, then you can only hold the other party responsible for 80 percent of your damages. If you are found to be more at fault for the accident than the other driver, then you cannot recover compensation at all.

Types of Damages Recoverable

Our lawyers know that the damages an injured motorcyclist suffers in a crash are usually extensive. We will advocate for your right for a full compensation award, including compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages and earning capacity, property damage costs, future costs related to the accident and your injuries, physical pain and suffering, and psychological injuries and emotional distress. Depending upon the circumstances of your accident, you may be entitled to:

• Compensation for past and future medical expenses — Medical bills can pile up quickly following a motorcycle or electric scooter accident. If your personal injuries are severe, insurance may not cover all your bills. Additionally, you may need medical care in the future because of the harm you suffered.

• Damages for your pain and suffering — You also have the right to pursue damages for pain and suffering from the negligent driver. Pain and suffering include the physical and emotional toll from accidents, including depression, emotional distress, chronic pain and reduced enjoyment of life.
• Recovery of lost wages — If you missed work due to your injuries and, consequently, lost income, you may be entitled to recover those lost wages, in addition to future lost earnings if you are no longer able to work.
• Reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses — Out-of-pocket expenses include things that are related to your medical care but aren’t directly paid to a doctor or hospital for medical treatment, including prescription or over-the-counter medications and medical equipment.

Call a Georgia Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Today

Following a motorcycle accident, it is important to act quickly to gather evidence and file your claim; otherwise, you may have more difficulty recovering compensation. Our lawyers can aid you in every step of the process, including accident investigation and evidence-gathering. We will remain available and accessible to answer your questions and advise you from the moment you hire our law team until the day we finish the trial, or you accept a settlement offer.

To learn more about motorcycle accident laws in our state and how our Georgia motorcycle accident attorneys at the office of Stein & Fox Accident Attorneys can help, please call our law firm directly at 770-961-1700, send us a message online, or visit our law firm in person for your free consultation. We look forward to serving you!